> Has anybody built/paddles Pygmy's new Arctic Tern? I am debating the
> relative benefits/deficits of hard vs multichine boats and whether this
> would be a good boat for me. I know the hard chine is theoretically more
> stable...does that make it more difficult to perform a roll? Any feelings
> about this issue or about this particular boat? Thanks, Toni Lipton

I built an Arctic Tern and I paddle it whenever I can. (if I go with my wife, she end up paddling it) It has a wonderful blend of tracking and manuverability. It goes straight until I lean it over or do a sweep turn, and then it responds very quickly. I've heard it is easy to roll because of its upswept bow and stern. I don't know how to roll yet, but I'm planning to learn this year. It is a fairly fast boat, but not as fast as the Redfish Silver. It performs very well in big waves and does not seem to be bothered by the wind.

I'm currently looking for a strip-built boat for my wife that has the same blend of tracking and mauverability as the Arctic Tern, I want my boat back. If you hear of a strip built that sound like this let me know, I want to check it out. My guess is somewhere between a Guillemott and a Silver or Panache. Of these three I've only paddled the Silver and would like a boat the tracks like it but turns a little better.

Mike